Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

In steep avalanche paths that have have not had recent avalanche activity dense,unstable slabs lie upon a persistent layer of weak faceted snow. These slabs remain sensitive to human triggers and may be easily triggered by the weight of a single person on some slopes, while other suspect slopes may be crossed several times before a skier or rider hits a weak spot and triggers a dangerous avalanche or crossed multiple times without causing an avalanche. Slabs depths range from three feet in depth at the mid and upper elevations to 18 inches in depth at the lower elevations. These conditions necessitate a conservative approach as consequences could be severe. The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE at the mid and upper elevations (7,500 to 10,500 feet) and MODERATE at the lower elevations.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Another weak system is expected to approach from the west and pass to the south. On Saturday skies will be overcast with a chance for some snow flurries in the northern and western portions of our forecast area and some potential for a short period of light snowfall in the southern portion of our forecast area. Accumulations of a trace to an inch or two are possible. Temperatures will be in the teens in the mountains and in the 20s at the lower elevations. Winds will be light at 5 to 15 miles per hour and veer from the southwest to the northwest. In steep avalanche paths that have not had recent avalanche activity dense, unstable slabs lie upon a persistent weak layer. Humans who venture into steep terrain could trigger slab avalanches up to three feet in depth at the mid and upper elevations and up to 18 inches in depth at the lower elevations. Suspect slopes could be crossed several times before a skier or rider hits a weak spot and triggers a dangerous avalanche. These conditions necessitate a conservative approach as consequences could be severe. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the mid and upper elevations and MODERATE at the lower elevations.